HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Hurricane quickly erased an early deficit to secure a spot on Semifinal Friday with a 6-2 win over Martinsburg in the last of four Class AAAA quarterfinals.
On deck, the No. 3 Redskins (26-9) will face No. 2 Morgantown. The Mohigans blanked Cabell Midland, 2-0 earlier Wednesday. Hurricane defeated Morgantown, 6-1 in the first Class AAAA state championship game last June.
Martinsburg (25-12) needed just six pitches to build an early lead. Jamere Brown hit a solo home run 387 feet to left center, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 advantage.
Hurricane immediately responded with three runs in the bottom of the first. Braylan Hutchison’s RBI single to score Tyler Baxter was followed up by a fielders choice from Judson Witt that scored Aiden Ocheltree. Hutchison later scored on a throwing error.
“Not only did we have three, we had first and second with no outs. We really had a chance to have a big inning,” said Hurricane head coach Brian Sutphin. “Then we really didn’t put a lot together.”
The Redskins added another run on an error in the third and they scored twice more in the fourth to build a 6-1 lead.
Hurricane starter Ryan Bowman pitched five innings before yielding to Tyler Baxter. Bowman allowed two hits and two runs. He struck out five batters and did not walk any. Baxter collected the final six outs in relief.
“Ryan really settled down,” said Sutphin.
Morgantown defeated Hurricane, 4-2 on April 2 in the Highlander Classic at Jack Cook Field.
“This time of year, obviously every game is an elimination game. You just want to give your team an opportunity. We did that to have a chance on Friday.
“Obviously, [Morgantown] are a good ball club. I look forward to that chance. That’s all you can ask.”
Martinsburg outhit Hurricane, 3-2. However, three Bulldog errors led to three unearned runs.